Democratic hopeful John Liu is sweeping up endorsements from community, labor and political groups in his bid to unseat fellow Democrat and incumbent State Senator Tony Avella in the 11th State Senate District.

So far this month, Liu’s campaign secured endorsements from New York Communities for Change, Daily Kos, CWA Local 1180, UCFW Local 1500, the New York City Coalition of Operating Engineers, the Council of School Supervisors and Administrators, and the Working Families Party.

“In the State Senate, I will tirelessly fight for a real minimum wage, rights for working people, women's equality and resources for public schools, transportation and healthcare,” said Liu in his campaign announcement late last month. “This community is the bedrock of New York, and the people here rightfully demand and deserve results-oriented representation.”

Liu was the first Asian-American to win citywide office in New York City. After serving as comptroller from 2010 to 2013, he lost a bid for mayor. Liu also served as councilman in the 20th district from 2001 until 2009.

Avella served as councilman in the 19th District from 2002 to 2009 before unseating then-state senator Frank Padavan in 2010. He lost his own bid for mayor in 2009.

While the Avella campaign has been relatively silent regarding most of Liu’s endorsements, his spokesperson Heather Sager released a statement denouncing Liu and his campaign’s endorsement by the Working Families Party, which also supported Liu in his run for comptroller in 2009.

"Just days after the Court of Appeals ruled that a special prosecutor was permitted to continue its criminal investigation into the Working Families Party, they are now shamelessly backing a disgraced candidate for State Senate who comes with his own ethical lapses,” Sager said.

“But this should come as no surprise, as both the WFP and John Liu have their own cherished history of backroom deals, reduced-rate-in-kind contributions for city office, and alleged campaign violations that bring utter disgust to our democratic process," continued the statement.

A representative from the Liu campaign said that while Liu is aware of the criticism, he is happy to have the Working Families Party endorsement.

“The Republicans and their allies in the Senate have had ample chances to make New York a better place for working women and men, and they’ve failed. It’s time for a change,” said the representative. “With the help of the Working Families Party, I will bring that change to Albany.”